Custom length Miata driveshaft?

Where do I get one? I need one ~15" long. Prefer rebuildable ends.

can you have a trans shop just cut a section out of one and weld it back together for you (then run it through a balance)?

I have had a driveshaft made at a local driveshaft shop. Maybe try these guys.

http://www.driveshaftshop.com/about-us

I have thought of that but if I could get one with servicable ujoints for ~$300 that would be nice.

I have no idea "where" to get one, BUT I'm much more interested in "why" you need it.

This. Miata pumpkin, RX7 trans. It's easier to ask for a Miata driveshaft than a RX7 to Miata driveshaft.

Take it to your local driveshaft shop. They can probably build you a new one for about $300 - i think they share parts with Toyota shafts. That's what I did when I needed one.

Or, give me accurate dimensions and I'll have one made up for you.

Buy local, then you'll be able to yell at them if they get it wrong.

1) Grind/cut the bead attaching the shaft to the yoke. 2) Remove yoke from shaft.
3) Using a hose clamp around the shaft draw a perfectly straight line around the shaft at the desired length.
4) Cut to length with angle grinder/chop saw.
5) Slide yoke into shaft and weld.

The yoke has a lip the shaft slides onto so the whole process is pretty easy.

The joints can be replaced if you grind out the little pressed protrusions used to hold in the factory ones. The new style uses a c-clip on the inside to locate itself. If Google won't point you in the right direction for the part number I can look it up for you later.

MadScientistMatt wrote: Buy local, then you'll be able to yell at them if they get it wrong.

Versus coming on the board and yelling at Keith :)

MrJoshua wrote: 1) Grind/cut the bead attaching the shaft to the yoke. 2) Remove yoke from shaft. 3) Using a hose clamp around the shaft draw a perfectly straight line around the shaft at the desired length. 4) Cut to length with angle grinder/chop saw. 5) Slide yoke into shaft and weld. The yoke has a lip the shaft slides onto so the whole process is pretty easy. The joints can be replaced if you grind out the little pressed protrusions used to hold in the factory ones. The new style uses a c-clip on the inside to locate itself. If Google won't point you in the right direction for the part number I can look it up for you later.

i'm pretty sure the whole vehicle will spontaneously erupt into a ball of fire the instant it is put into gear the first time if you try to shorten a driveshaft yourself.

at least that's the impression i get from everyone online when the subject of doing it yourself is brought up..

In reply to novaderrik:

It's a risky part to mess with, the price of having one done professionally, balanced and everything, is cheap peace of mind at top speed.

Got mine done for 75$

I shortened a GM one myself, then had it balanced by a shop. They were skeptical when I brought it in that it would be good, but I'd managed (with a lot of care) to get it both straight and with the yokes in proper alignment.

For $300 for a brand new shaft built with new, rebuildable parts, it may not be worth the time. And that $300 is not a random number - that's what it cost me for a new short Miata driveshaft at a local shop.

Get a custom one made. I would only use a home made one on something like a low budget rock crawler.

Tom Woods, High angle driveline, Carolina driveline, etc are all custom driveshaft builders, but you should have a shop local to you that can do it.

edit: isnt a jeep wrangler driveshaft about that length? or the intermediate shaft from a samurai?

In reply to nocones:

Is that the current state of the Midget? Because I don't think you've had time to modify the Miata that much this soon!

Keith Tanner wrote: I shortened a GM one myself, then had it balanced by a shop. They were skeptical when I brought it in that it would be good, but I'd managed (with a lot of care) to get it both straight and with the yokes in proper alignment. For $300 for a brand new shaft built with new, rebuildable parts, it may not be worth the time. And that $300 is not a random number - that's what it cost me for a new short Miata driveshaft at a local shop.

i put thousands upon thousands of miles- sometimes hitting speeds close to 100mph on the open interstate at night- on the driveshaft in my 74 Monte Carlo that i shortened on my garage floor with a cutoff wheel and a 120 volt mig welder.. had to make it 3" shorter for the 700r4 swap and didn't have the cash to get it done "right".. once i figured out how they align everything- the yoke has a collar machined into it that fits into the id of the tube with a slight interference fit- and that i could use my floor to keep the u joints in phase, it only took about an hour to do and it had zero weird vibrations. as far as i know, that driveshaft is still in the car going on a decade later...

Ok I'm actually ready to buy one now. What dimension/dimensions would I need to order one up Kieth? I've called all my local shaft places and they want nothing to do with it.

I think center to center on the u-joints with the slip joint pulled out by 1". That's what I used on the MG and the Locost.

Alternately, email me at Keith @flyinmiata.com and I can put you in touch with the guys who do our full length ones.

I ended up ordering one from Driveshaft Specialist of Texas. Very pleased with them. From initial call to driveshaft in hand was 2 weeks including a holiday. They had a simple order process and where clearly familiar with strange request. Cost was very reasonable. +1 would use again

Is it possible that you are actually making progress on the Midget again. Do tell...

And the cost was?????

dean1484 wrote: And the cost was?????

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

That is one nice looking driveshaft.

Wait, that sounds wrong.

novaderrik wrote:

dean1484 wrote: And the cost was?????

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Or maybe I have no clue as t what something like that costs and would like a reference point for future projects. Say a challenge project where every $$$$$ counts.